Splendour future on the line

Splendour in the Grass 2011.

Jay Cronan

Photos

Splendour in the Grass crowd of 2011

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Photos

Splendour in the Grass performances of 2011

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Poll

Should Splendour come home to Byron?

This poll ended on 30 October 2010.

Yes

74%

No

21%

Undecided

4%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

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• Paltrow watch begins at Splendour
• Why Splendour didn't sell
• Splendid newlyweds honeymoon at fest
• Passionate on Parklands

THE final showdown over the proposed Yelgun site for Splendour in the Grass was played out at Byron Bay yesterday morning before the NSW Planning Assessment Commission to decide whether the festival can come home.

Opponents and backers of the North Byron Parklands proposal, which was recommended for approval by the State Government late last year, will gather at Byron Bay Community Centre at 9am today for a public meeting.

A second meeting will be held tomorrow at the Ocean Shores Public School Hall on Shara Blvd at 9am.

A commission representative will chair the meetings.

The public forum follows the Government's recommendation that the North Byron Parklands proposal be approved to allow three major events each year.

The Planning Department recommended maximum crowds of 30,000, 25,000 and 15,000 for the three events over a maximum of 10 days in the first year.

It recommended a single event of 30,000 patrons be allowed in perpetuity if the applicants meet all key performance indicators after the first year of operation.

More than 120 people have signed up to speak at this week's meetings, including Northern Rivers Tourism chief executive Russell Mills, Bluesfest director Peter Noble and the Coalition for Festival Sanity.

A planning commission spokeswoman said the meeting was the final stage in the decision process.

The NSW director general's Environmental Assessment Report of the proposal says the development would create 15 full-time construction jobs and 115 jobs during operation of the project.